Entrevoir

by Chris Katsaropoulos

The unveiling of a new work of art by Jacob Marsteller is typically one of the most highly anticipated events in the international art scene—but not this time. Jacob’s new piece is a labyrinth of gossamer fabric perched on the peak of a mountain called Entrevoir in a remote corner of the south of France. It looks as if nobody except Jacob’s teenage children and a few neighbors from the village will bother to show up at the gallery. As Jacob finishes dressing for the party, he and his wife Marya begin to argue. She warned him that moving from the vibrant art scene of New York to a tiny village in the middle of nowhere would be a fatal mistake for his career. As she turns her back to him and walks down the stairs, Jacob tells her there was a reason he had to come here to create this piece—and that’s when Jacob’s whole world begins to unravel. Without realizing what is happening, he is lifted out of his body and taken to another dimension, where he becomes the watcher, the witness, and experiencer of lives he lived six decades ago and thousands of years ago, on other planets and as the highest forms of life. In the span of one instant and over the course of millions of years, Jacob comes to understand that he is not his body, he is not his mind, and he is not even his soul. By the end of the amazing unveiling of Jacob’s true self, he will experience the greatest transfiguration any human being has ever the realization of the ultimate nature of human life, and of spirit itself.

208 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2015

Reviews

[Laurie Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unconventional, stream-of-consciousness novel, Entrevoir transcends time and space on a journey of transformation and atonement that culminates in the ultimate realization of the divinity in humanity. Katsaropolous becomes the mindful observer of both ritualized destruction and spiritual awakening through the ages in order to deliver an ideological, conceptual, phenomenological and highly experiential piece of literature. Judeo-Christian symbolism explodes, and western philosophy implodes. Layers of brutal carnage and destruction sealed with glimpses of spiritual truth create a decoupage of modern mysticism carefully crafted to reflect the light and capture the beauty that is Life.

This review is based on an ARC I received in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Al Riske · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel Entrevoir presents a 160-page stream of consciousness. A consciousness that shifts between locations and lifetimes. A consciousness that encompasses diverse philosophies and lines of thought in an unbroken narrative. This was a challenging read, I must say, but worth the effort as Chris Katsaropoulos is a writer who dares greatly.

[Nai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plan for tomorrow
(or sometime in the future)

but, really
chances are
it will all come crashing down
any way.

not, up to
you.

Luminis Books aims to be a thought provoking publisher. Entrevoir is by one of the owners, and reviewing Entrevoir speaks to the heart of Luminis Books.

That's my review for now. See you on Monday, ... If you know me, you know what profanity that statement is followed with.

Monday's. . . have to love them.

This review won't be long, however, I think that actually may say a lot in this case.

I don't know if it was the 'right' time for me to read this book or not. I loved the astrological and metaphysical aspects, but Entrevoir was also like looking into a mirror.
A cold, black, dark, cracked mirror. . . with a stranger staring back, that you know is your own reflection. I'll leave you to ponder which character's personality aspects I refer to, and if that's cause to read the book (you creepy, creepy people :P ) than so be it.

An even better reason to read this book is because it is simply an amazing piece of literature. It's abstract, and yet grounded in reality. It has the most beautiful descriptions of what can only imagine as enlightenment. It is over-whelming to read, and feels as though the edge of the abyss meets the an inevitable choice between life & death, neither of which is really a choice.

Reading Entrevoir is like opening the gates of purgatory & the universe all at once.

The title I think is perfect, and I hope (and I will assume) not a mistake. You can check out the other blogger today's Bri's post here where there's a great definition of the word and an even more amazing review of the book.

Thought provoking is only one way to describe the universe that unfolds within it's pages.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris brings us along on a journey with successful artist Jacob. Many artists see their work as a personal journey, one that is enlightening, and Jacob is no exception. Except, for Jacob, his journey goes above and beyond what one would expect.
Chris does a great job in "Entrevoir" of pulling in his reader and making them feel what Jacob feels.

[Rhonda · Rating 1 out of 5]

received ARC from the publisher and sorry to say I did not like this book. I started it a couple times and didn't get far when I lost interest. I am open to all types of books but I just could not get interested in this one.